Shiphandling - Passenger Ships Without Tugs

Captain Nick Nash, Master Mariner, FRGS, FRIN, FNI, shares his extensive knowledge and experience gained from over fourteen years in command of cruise ships.

The 361-page book covers the ‘mechanics’ of handling a large cruise ship and has primarily been written to help aspiring cruise ship captains to master the art. However, it will also be a useful source of reference for more experienced officers.

The book discusses:

• Ship’s equipment, including propellers, rudders and thrusters; podded propulsion systems; the rate of turn indicator; and radius track control systems
• Shiphandling theory, including berthing and lifting-off techniques, the pivot point, drift angle, and Bernoulli’s theory as it relates to ship squat and interaction
• The effect of wind and current and how to calculate the forces on the vessel
• Stopping techniques and emergency anchoring.

The appendix includes numerous approach/departure plans for ports around the world, based on the author’s own manoeuvring notes. Each port is illustrated with annotated route charts and practical guidance notes.

Captain Nash is a serving Master with Princess Cruises, part of the Carnival Corporation Group, and is also the current President of The Nautical Institute.